And If there was a tomorrow

Chapter 5

 The walk back to the ER was exactly like she expected. The same stares, the same whispers. She could imagine what they were saying. She had to think about how she would stand, how she would react. She was very tired. That's probably the reason she didn't notice her boss near her.

─ Linda? ─ he called.

She jumped, frightened.

─ Peter? You scared me. I'm sorry, I think I was distracted.

─ I need to speak with you. Can we go to my office?

She felt a slight worry in her chest and, as a result, a sweat drop ran down her spine, she couldn't help to think that Edmund got what he wanted and ruined her career, but tried to disguise this feeling and replied as calmly as possible:

─ Of course!

The two of them walked silently to his office. The distance, which was of only a few minutes on foot until the next floor, felt like she was crossing the Sahara Desert. Her mouth was dry, her heart raced, and she had a slight shiver in her hands that she tried to disguise by holding her hands together. Then, they arrived.

─ Sit down, Linda.

She obeyed. He took a deep breath and she held hers.

─ Look, I don't know what happened between you and your boyfriend, but I need to tell you a few things. ─ and he paused.

She stared at him anxiously, afraid of what was coming next.

─ You are one of the best professionals we have here, so don't care about anything he says about you.

She exhaled and felt her muscles relaxing a bit.

─ But I also think that you need to shield yourself a bit. I know you love your job, and that I can always count on you, but with all these things happening, you should take a break and let things settle down for a while.

─ What are you implying?

─ Take a week off. Go somewhere you like. Alone, with a friend, or someone else. Do things for yourself. If you don't want to travel, you don't have to, but spend time on you. Leave all these things behind for a while. This situation will pass, and maybe I can help with that. So, give me this week to think and structure a plan.

─ What are you talking about? What plan?

─ I still can't say, because I'm not 100% certain, and still a bit uncertain. I'll confirm. But I assure you I won't do anything without your consent. Now, it would be good if he didn't know you are on vacations, and let's pretend that he won.

─ Why?

─ Because when egocentric people believe they won, they lower their guard and it's easier to see through them. Egocentric people think they have higher intellect, that they are over competent and exclusive, as if they were the greatest thing on the planet. Many times, they can't see how much they are helped, they always think they are on their own. Ego helps us manipulate them, or for them to get manipulated by people they least expect.

─ Have you met Ed?

─ Yes. We were in high school together many years ago. I think he doesn't remember me, but I remember him very well. This thing he did to you, is very likely of him. Believe me, I've seen it before. And I also know that he will make a mistake.

─ From what I can see, you are planning a double revenge.

─ Perhaps. ─ he said, with a malicious smirk on his face.

─ Okay. I'm going away for one week and not tell anyone about it, is that the plan?

─ Exactly.

─ Will you keep me informed?

─ Of course.

Then, she stood up and was about to leave the room when she turned back and said:

─ Thank you!

He just nodded and then she left.

She moved fast, grabbed her things, and tried to leave without being noticed, but thought it over and concluded that the plan would work better if people saw her leaving. They probably saw that she went to her boss' office, and if they saw her leaving, they could assume something happened. Then she made herself noticeable.

Some close people went to talk to her and asked what was going on, but she only replied that she really needed some time to organize things. She didn't say that she had been fired and neither that she was going on vacations, so she had to count with luck and imagination.

Upon leaving the hospital, she noticed that Kim waited for her. When Kim saw her leaving with her belongings, she got a bit worried and asked:

─ Is everything okay with you?

─ Everything is great! ─ She replied with an enigmatic smile on her face. ─ What are you still doing here?

─ I was heading home, when I received a confirmation from Christian, the author's agent. He confirmed. That's really him.

─ Now what?

─ He wants to talk with us in person.

─ Is he coming here?

─ No.

─ I don't get it. So, we must meet him, right?

─ Only if you can. I asked for some days off.

─ I can.

─ Don't you have to work?

─ I'll explain later, but I have a week off.

─ I think that's exactly what we need.

─ And where are we going?

─ Well, back when he represented Charles, he lived in Australia, but now he lives is in Toronto, Canada.

─ So, is this a 'Canada, here we come'?

─ I think it is.

─ And what are we waiting for?

The two of them arranged the details and would meet at the airport later. They were extremely excited to be on their way to solve that puzzle. They really wanted to talk to the agent and to find out what he wanted from them. The only problem was that they still hadn't realized that this conversation would change everything.